Still Beauty: “The Makings of You” is a quiet, gentle film.

August 31, 2016 | by Sammi Leigh Melville

“Nothing happens until two people fall in love—and then the whole world changes.”

These are perceptive words from writer/director Matt Amato’s feature, “The Makings of You,” a simple slice-of-life love story that will soothe moviegoers with its gentle beauty.

Judy (Sheryl Lee) is a quiet, dreamy woman who lives with her mother and two adult sons. Wallace (Jay R. Ferguson) is a cheerful, laidback man who lives with his dog. The two meet at the old junk shop that Wallace inherited from his father, but their relationship doesn’t really begin until Wallace shows up at her work (she is a lunch lady at the local elementary school) to ask her out.

The two hit it off (maybe a little too abruptly), and their chemistry makes them an instantly likeable couple. The film centers around their relationship with each other and their relationship with Judy’s family.

The plot is meandering and nearly non-existent, but the characters will enrapture you. Judy’s mother Margaret (Grace Zabriskie) is a testy but protective woman, and her two sons, Roy (Grant Leuchtner) and Eric (Michael Varble), have their rebellious moments, but it is clear they love their family. Fueled by quiet romance and an affinity for music, their story reflects the simplicity of life and the importance of family and being together. What a heartwarming, still film in such a busy society!

There are a few things that detract from the impact of the film—the random, electronic static in an otherwise organic, beautiful soundtrack, for example. But, overall, Amato boasts a stunning picture.

“The Makings of You” will play at Midtown Cinema this month as a part of the Harrisburg-Hershey Film Festival. Make sure to check this one out.

MIDTOWN CINEMA
SPECIAL EVENTS – SEPTEMBER

The Late Shift with Zeroday
“Cry-Baby” (1990)
Saturday, Sept. 3, 10:30 p.m.

Down in Front!
“Xanadu” (1980)
Friday, Sept. 9, 9:30 p.m.

Classic Film Series
“Seven Brides for Seven Brothers” (1954)
Sunday, Sept. 11, 6 p.m.

Harrisburg-Hershey Film Festival
Sept. 15-18

3^rd in the Burg $3 Movie
“Hairspray” (1988)
Friday, Sept. 16, 9:30 p.m.

Faulkner Honda Family Film Series
“The Wizard of Oz” (1939)
Saturday, Sept. 17, 12 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 18, 2 p.m.

Digital Theatre Series
“A View From the Bridge”
Sunday, Sept. 18, 6 p.m.

Manhattan Shorts Festival
Sept. 23-29

15^th Anniversary Series
“Once” (2007)
Saturday, Sept. 24, 8 p.m.

Author: Sammi Leigh Melville

Student Scribes: “On Having It All”

August 31, 2016 | by Rachel Ginder

When I was an English major at Penn State Harrisburg, I wanted to be something different every semester. As a freshman, I wanted to become a teacher. When I was a sophomore, the goal was to become a librarian. Then there was a period right before my junior year when I got really into “Mad Men” and thought copywriting was my destiny. My 19-year-old self didn’t understand why making major life decisions based on an AMC show was a bad idea.

Part of the reason my imagination ran wild was because what I wanted to be was a writer, but, growing up, I never had anyone explain to me that writing is a useful skill, and it could be something more than just a hobby if I pursued it with passion.

I come from a long line of blue-collar workers: electricians, mechanics and truckers. I wouldn’t say I’m the black sheep of the family. I’m related to several farmers, and they know what sheep are like. However, if a UFO were to show up and start making weird designs in a nearby cornfield, and the locals had trouble deciding what to do with said UFO, I might identify with the space aliens.

I’ve always had a lot of people who believed in me, and, for that, I will always be grateful, but I never had anyone help me explore my strengths and weaknesses. I never had anyone say, “This is good, but you can do BETTER.” Until I entered the Penn State Harrisburg School of Humanities, I had no idea what my goals for my education were or how to achieve them.

I was the student who wanted to do everything. The second semester of my junior year, I was taking a lot of journalism classes. This fell outside the realm of my English degree and led me to explore the world of communications. I realized I wanted to also learn photography, graphic design and web layout, yet I wasn’t ready to give up on literature or creative writing either. I began to wonder—would it be possible for me to double major at Penn State Harrisburg?

The next several months were spent writing emails and meeting with instructors in both the English and communications departments. Never once did anyone tell me I couldn’t have it all. Instead, I was met with nothing but positive encouragement from professors who were willing to sit down with me, look at my credits, and help me devise a plan to double major while still graduating within four years.

During this time, I was taking a class where the instructor said something that shocked me. She said students studying the arts were the only students still receiving an education in the traditional sense. True education is pursuing knowledge for knowledge’s sake. In contrast, many students majoring in the sciences or math or technology study for a specific career path.

At the time, I wasn’t sure how I felt about this because it meant having to admit that I didn’t know what job I might land after college. I could almost hear my parents’ collective gasp— “What did we send you to college for if not to get a job?”

What I didn’t realize was my professor wasn’t telling me an English degree meant I couldn’t get a job. She was explaining an English degree meant more than just a job. It meant critical thinking, an appreciation for art, and the opportunity to see the world from multiple perspectives.

I did, in fact, start a career in publishing right after college, and I was grateful to have knowledge from a wide variety of classes. Yet, what helped me the most were not the skills learned in my web design workshops or Writing and Rhetoric 101. What now keeps me going from 9-to-5 (and sometimes long after) is my love of writing—not just the act of it but the celebration of the written word in all its many forms.

My education at Penn State Harrisburg taught me passion. I learned this as much during class as I did after hours when professors sat with me to go over the strengths and weaknesses in my papers and when I met with my English advisor and was encouraged to check out classes that were outside my original major. It was these moments that were most valuable to me after graduation.

Society will tell us that a career is mandatory, and, as a consequence, we think society is also telling us that art, passion and love for what you do isn’t. However, anyone with a humanities degree will tell you a different story. No one I met in college told me I couldn’t have it all, and, because of that, I left Penn State Harrisburg with two degrees—and I managed to get an education (and a job) in the process.

Rachel Ginder is a 2014 graduate of Penn State Harrisburg and now works in the academic journals department at Penn State University Press (University Park campus). She is a book reviewer for Publisher’s Weekly and a contributing writer for Literally, Darling and Elite Daily.

Happily Ever After in HBG: Popcorn Hat Players combine traditional children’s stories, improv wackiness and some adult-sized humor, too.

August 31, 2016 | by Meghan Jones

Going to see a children’s show without children is weird, right? Not in Harrisburg.

When thinking of a children’s theater show, it’s easy to think of the ones you went to see in middle school or have thoughts reminiscent of “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.” This is not the experience that you will get at Gamut Theatre Group’s Popcorn Hat Players productions. Depending on your mindset, you may laugh more than some of the children. That’s because the Popcorn Hat Players are not only the only professional theater in the region with a dedicated children’s theater mission, but they know how to spice things up. Taking a classic children’s story, they make it their own—with original adaptations written by core company members, wonderful actor chemistry, and even a bit of improv.

The company caters to young children by telling a story that they may already know and then making it more exciting and engaging. That is not to say, however, that going to see the show is overwhelming.

At the beginning of every show, the actors come out as their real selves, talk to the audience and each other, sing a song, and let the children know what to expect. Unlike your typical theater experience, they never try to fool you into thinking that they are not the regular people in the beginning of the show. You know that they are acting, and that makes it so much more fun, and, as a result, more engaging. As a theater-goer who has seen multiple Popcorn Hat productions, almost never have I been with a child, and the Popcorn Hat Players have made me laugh every time.

This is something that Associate Artistic Director Thomas Weaver has found engaging and fun about doing Popcorn Hat Players productions—that is, when he’s not doing more serious Shakespeare shows.

“Popcorn Hat is more of an experience than it is a show,” Weaver said. “The shows are designed to be funny for the parents and grown-ups in the audience, too.”

Sometimes, parents come to the shows without their children. Sometimes, like me, they have no children and are just looking for a lighthearted afternoon.

With the mission of engaging the community in new and exciting ways, the non-profit makes it a primary focus to create shows that are completely original re-tellings of the stories we have all come to know and love. It is not uncommon at a Popcorn Hat show to hear references to the (very adult) TV show “Arrested Development,” singer Beyoncé, current events or other pop culture references, while still making the kids in the audience feel at home.

Popcorn Hat is actually where the Gamut Theatre Group was born. As a traveling children’s theater company, co-founders of Clark and Melissa Nicholson began touring their children’s shows in 1993. After more than 20 years of perfecting the skill, Popcorn Hat Players is an experience unlike any other children’s theater.

The shows, while written and adapted from a classic story by core company members like Tara Herweg-Mann, feature a great deal of personal character and improv. In the show “The Little Mermaid” (my personal favorite), Weaver, dressed as a sea witch named Debbie, exclaims—in a New Jersey accent—disdain for Avon door sales representatives, gets his cape stuck in a fan, has a conversation with a young audience member about it during the show, and still manages to tell the story in an impactful way. The actors really get freedom to have fun with the audience and enjoy the personalities they give to these classic characters.

“I’ve worked other places, and I’ve not experienced anything like it elsewhere,” Weaver said.

While maintaining professionalism and getting across the morals of the stories they tell, the Popcorn Hat Players are able to give a unique theater experience for children that also is entertaining for parents. In this way, Gamut keeps with its mission—encouraging creativity, dancing, laughing and singing in ways that benefit the entire family.

With a light-hearted approach to serious life choices and problems that children have to learn—and a platform that encourages not only seeing but engaging in live theater—it is easy to follow the Popcorn Hat Players No. 1 rule—have fun!

September Theater Events
At Harrisburg’s
Professional Downtown Theaters

AT GAMUT THEATRE
www.gamuttheatre.org

TMI 3^rd in the Burg Show
Sept. 16
Doors and bar open at 6:30 p.m. Performance at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets are pay what you will.

Popcorn Hat Players Present
“Rapunzel”
Sept. 17 to 24
Saturdays at 1 p.m.
Wednesdays and Thursdays at 10 a.m. available by request for groups of 20 or more

Stage Door Series Presents
“Shakespeare in Hollywood”
Sept. 23 & 24
Doors and bar open at 6:30 p.m. Performance at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets are pay what you will.

AT OPEN STAGE
OF HARRISBURG
www.openstagehbg.com

Season 31 Subscriptions
on sale now until October
$120 for 5 plays

Open Call Auditions
OSHKids Performance Company
Sept. 8 at 5:30 p.m.
Acting course for youth ages 8 and up
Openstagestudioschool.com

Acting Classes for Adults
Now enrolling
Acting Technique & Scene Study
September to November
Openstagestudioschool.com

Author: Meghan Jones

August News Digest

August 31, 2016 | by Lawrance Binda

Bar Decision Appealed

Harrisburg is appealing a judge’s ruling that requires it to issue a business license to an embattled city bar.

The city administration last month provided notice that it intends to appeal a decision by Dauphin County Judge Andrew Dowling, who mandated that Harrisburg issue a 2016 business license to the Third Street Café. It did not immediately cite the grounds for its appeal.

In July, Dowling rejected the city’s argument that the Third Street Café is a magnet for trouble. He also said that state regulations override city rules for establishments that hold a liquor license.

Harrisburg has been trying to shut down the Midtown bar since early last year, when it revoked its 2015 business license. It then refused to issue the bar a 2016 business license, leading the bar to file suit.

The administration has successfully closed two other bars after revoking their business licenses. Those bars did not appeal the decision to the court.

Calls for Healing, Peace

Both the city and the family have issued calls for peace following the police-involved shooting last month of a Harrisburg resident.

Police shot and killed Earl Shaleek Pinckney in his Uptown home after responding to a call that the 20-year-old man was threatening his mother, Kim Thomas, with a knife. Last December, Thomas requested court protection from Pinckney after he allegedly threatened to kill her, and he was arrested several times last year for domestic incidents.

Thomas later disputed the police department’s version of events, stating that her son didn’t have a knife at her throat and that there was no need to shoot him.

Nonetheless, she asked the community to come together and not resort to violence during a meeting at Goodwin Memorial Baptist Church. City Police Chief Thomas Carter and other city officials also spoke at the meeting.

Thomas had her harshest words for demonstrators, saying that she didn’t want outsiders causing trouble in Harrisburg, as well as for the media, which she said provided misleading information and exploited the situation.

Shortly afterwards, a group called This Stops Today Harrisburg sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Justice asking for an independent investigation of the incident.

Samarin Pleads Guilty

The man who posed as a Harrisburg High School student pleaded guilty last month to a litany of charges that could lead to his deportation.

Artur Samarin, a citizen of Ukraine, admitted guilt on fraud and sex-related charges and said he planned to plead guilty to federal fraud charges, as well.

For several years, Samarin posed as a teenager named Asher Potts, attending high school and receiving numerous academic accolades. In fact, he was in his 20s and in the country illegally after his visa expired.

He faces sentencing this month in Dauphin County court on several charges, including allegedly having sex with a 15-year-old girl he met in school. The federal case relates to alleged passport and Social Security violations.

Housing Sales Up

Area housing sales continued a yearlong climb in July, with unit sales and median prices both rising 4.8 percent, according to the Greater Harrisburg Area Association of Realtors.

GHAR reported that sales totaled 938 units compared to 895 units in July 2015, while the median price climbed to $175,500 from $167,500 for the area that includes Dauphin, Cumberland and Perry countries and portions of York, Lebanon and Juniata counties.

In Dauphin County, sales edged up to 308 units versus 307 units in the year-ago period, while the median price rose to $155,900 from $155,000. Cumberland County saw significant increases, with unit sales totaling 374 units against 335 units in July 2015 and the median price rising to $217,642 from 216,646.

In Perry County, sales increased to 34 units from 33 last July, while the median price rose to $187,400 from $155,000.

So Noted

Bollywood Bar & Grille opened for dining last month in the heart of “restaurant row” in downtown Harrisburg. The Indian-style restaurant serves both lunch and dinner at 110 N. 2^nd St., the long-time home of Zia’s at Red Door.

Buddy Boy Winery has begun offering samples and selling bottles from a satellite location in the Broad Street Market in Harrisburg. The Perry County-based winery has become known for its sweeter wines, its fruit wines and its irreverent names and labels.

Harristown Enterprises last month previewed its two newest apartment buildings: Fifteen @ Twenty-Two and SoMa on Third. The buildings are across the street from one another in downtown Harrisburg and both begin leasing this month. Earlier in the summer, Harristown began accepting tenants for its first apartment project, the Flats @ Strawberry Square.

The Millworks last month opened its rooftop beer garden and its new brewery, run by brewmaster Jeff Musselman. No reservations are needed for rooftop tables, as it’s first-come, first-served in the space at 340 Verbeke St., Harrisburg.

Nest Egg Interiors relocated last month from Marysville to Cumberland County. The home décor and specialty furniture shop is now located at 315 Bridge St., New Cumberland. Grand opening is scheduled for Sept. 3, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Pikowski’s Pierogi Place debuted last month to brisk business in the stone building of the Broad Street Market. Owner Carolyn Pikowski offers a wide assortment of the Polish staple, some traditional and others quite creative.

Changing Hands

Alricks St., 650: K. Gautsch to Consolidated Holdings International LLC, $160,000

Boas St., 428: C. Brown to B. Weber, $128,600

Brookwood St., 2408: J. McPherson to K. & M. Walter, $92,900

Caledonia St., 1917: S. Sabella to J. Gerena, $86,500

Chestnut St., 1940: PA Deals LLC to C. Austin, $63,000

Emerald Ct., 2450: J. Seaton & S. Beckner to E. Manly Spain, $67,000

Forster St., 212: J. & J. Spagnolo to N&R. Group LLC, $43,500

Forster St., 1600: A. & B. Briley to R. Lopez, $161,000

Green St., 1614: J. & MJ Hess to N. Foote & A. Schwarzl, $144,000

Green St., 1932: WCI Partners LP to M. Roos, $205,000

Harris St., 344: C. Wilson to PA Deals LLC, $45,000

Herr St., 215: Crested Enterprises to Z. & W. Zogby, $110,000

Kensington St., 2246: S. Duong to D. Tran & N. Nguyen, $61,000

Kensington St., 2341: Donald L. Pong Trust to I. Trigueros, $45,000

Market St., 2448: K. Haas & D. Maguire to B. Wilson, $110,000

N. 2^nd St., 1426: M. & K. Moosa to C. Albers, $153,000

N. 3^rd St., 2419: M. & S. Kreines to F. & K. Wilson, $154,900

N. 3^rd St., 3027: R. Finck to D. Myers, $127,000

N. 3^rd St., 3113: New 4 You Property Solutions LLC to J. & L. Kincaid, $107,500

N. 4^th St., 1632: K. & K. Leaver to A. Fiorucci, $87,500

N. 4^th St., 1725: LSF9 Master Participation Trust to PA Deals LLC, $54,900

N. 4^th St., 3209: C. DePauli to M. Schuessler, $106,500

N. 5^th St., 1630: Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. to R. Williams, $45,000

N. 6^th St., 3115: A. Starr to A. Smith, $30,000

N. 6^th St., 3205, 3209 & 3205 N. 7^th St.: D. & J. Klaiber to SBN LLC, $310,000

N. 7^th St., 3205 & 3133: Bass Pallets Realty LLC to Consolidated Holdings International LLC, $810,000

N. 16^th St., 1100: T. Simpson to HSBC Bank USA, $92,000

Paxton St., 118 & 109 Vine St.: R. Aronson, D. Stern & C/O Service Oil Co. to R. Aronson & R&D Landholdings LLC, $275,000

Penn St., 924: D. Roberts to L. Felix & E. Smith, $35,000

Penn St., 1723: Pennymac Corp. to PA Deals LLC, $78,000

Pennwood Rd., 3207: J. Fry to C. Gaither, $104,000

Reily St., 223: M. Jameson to J. Chadwick, $149,900

Rudy Rd., 2413: PA Deals LLC to G. & J. Modi, $134,900

Rumson Dr., 321: J. Quinlin to S. Nguyen, $64,900

Rumson Dr., 2772: Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. to PA Deals LLC, $32,250

Rumson Dr., 2801: R. & M. Gingrich to R. Adams, $74,000

S. 18^th St., 1014: G. Stevenson to T. Martin, $112,000

S. 19^th St., 258: S. Sugden to A. Santos, $30,000

State St., 231, Unit 503: LUX 1 LP to G. Shook, $167,400

State St., 231, Unit 605: LUX 1 LP to A. Neilay, $160,000

Swatara St., 2045: COBA Inc., Oreo TD Bank NA & TD Bank NA to R. Williams, $47,000

Sycamore St., 1807: A. Williams to R. & V. Thompson, $30,000

Wiconisco St., 524: PA Deals LLC to S. Orr, $60,000

Harrisburg property sales for July 2016, greater than $30,000. Source: Dauphin County. Data is assumed to be accurate.

Author: Lawrance Binda

Happenings: Our September Calendar of Events

August 31, 2016 | by TheBurg Editor

Happenings

Museum & Art Spaces

3rd Street Studio
1725 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-385-3315; Facebook: 3rd Street Studio

“Eating Ourselves,” fine art by Ted Walke, Sept. 16-Oct. 17; reception: Sept. 16, 6-9 p.m.

AACA Museum
161 Museum Dr., Hershey
717-566-7100; aacamuseum.org

“Early Off-Roaders,” through Oct. 15.

“Mods vs. Rockers,” motorcycles and scooters, through Oct. 15.

“Steampunk U,” recycled gears and parts, repurposed with artistic and functional form, through Nov. 6.

Art Association of Harrisburg
21 N. Front St., Harrisburg
717-236-1432; artassocofhbg.com

“Off the Wall” sculpture exhibit, featuring the work of Mike Cerbone, Hannah Dobek, Jeremiah Johnson, Daniel Kalbach, Sean Matthews and Paul Nagle, through Sept. 1.

“Man’s Best Friend,” Fall Membership Show, Sept. 9-Oct. 13; opening: Sept. 11, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.

Aughinbaugh Gallery
Messiah College School of Arts
One College Ave., Mechanicsburg
717-766-2511; messiah.edu

“Student Juried Show,” featuring the artwork of Department of Visual Arts students, through Sept. 1.

The Cornerstone Coffeehouse
2133 Market St., Camp Hill
717-737-5026; thecornerstonecoffeehouse.com

Artist of the Month: TBD

Fort Hunter
5300 N. Front St., Harrisburg
717-599-5751; forthunter.org

“Downton’s Last Stand: A Reprise of the Fort Hunter Fashions of the Downton Abbey Era,” through Dec. 23.

Gallery@Second
608 N. 2nd St., Harrisburg
galleryatsecond.com

Works by Linda Benton McCloskey and Paul Gallo, through Sept. 24.

Works by Thom Kulp and Susan Benigni-Landis, Sept. 29-Nov.12.

Landis House
Perry County Council of the Arts
67 N. 4th St., Newport
717-567-7023; perrycountyarts.org

“Faith, Family and Community: Folk Art Links to the Early Pennsylvania Dutch in Perry County,” Perry Historians exhibition, through Nov. 5.

Little Amps Coffee Roasters, Downtown
133 State St., Harrisburg
717-635-9870; littleampscoffee.com

Fiber-based work and woven wall hangings by Jenna Carls, through Sept.; reception: Sept. 16, 5-7 p.m.

Metropolis Collective
17 W. Main St., Mechanicsburg
717-458-8245; Facebook: Metropolis Collective

“Summer of Speedee,” through Sept. 30.

“Dirt Floor,” southern gothic and paranormal artwork, Sept. 2-Oct. 31; reception: Sept. 2, 6-11 p.m.

National Civil War Museum
One Lincoln Circle, Harrisburg
717-260-1861; nationalcivilwarmuseum.org

“Tell Mother I’ve Been Good: Vice & Virtue in the Civil War,” illustrating the moral challenges faced by thousands of men in the ranks, through Dec. 31.

Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art
176 Water Company Rd., Millersburg
717-692-3699; nedsmithcenter.org

“2015 Youth Art Winners,” through Sept. 24.

Featured artwork from the 2016 Wildlife Art Auction, Sept. 3-Oct. 1.

PCCA Gallery
Perry County Council of the Arts
1 S. 2nd St., Newport; perrycountyarts.org

“Dyeing for Peru,” eco-dyed and ice-dyed clothing, accessories and home textiles by Marcia LaBant of Luminous Nature, through Oct. 8.

Rose Lehrman Art Gallery
One HACC Dr., Harrisburg
717-780-2435; hacc.edu

“Full Contact Bowling,” graphic design by Scott Laserow, through Sept. 8; reception: Sept. 1, 5:30 p.m.

The State Museum of Pennsylvania
300 North St., Harrisburg
717-787-4980; statemuseumpa.org

“Art of the State,” statewide juried competition, through Sept. 11.

“We’re Here: Pioneering LGBT Rights in Pennsylvania,” through Oct. 30.

“Working Together for Wildlife: Three Decades of Pennsylvania’s Nature in Art,” through Dec. 31.

Susquehanna Art Museum
1401 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-233-8668; sqart.org

“The Luminous River,” works by John Pfahl, through Sept. 18.

“Recasting Nature: Selected Sculptures by Beth Galston,” through Sept. 18.

“Despues De La Frontera (After the Border),”a bilingual group exhibition honoring immigrants who fled their homes in Central America, through Dec. 4.

Wildwood Park
100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg
717-221-0292; wildwoodlake.org

“Art in the Wild,” a nature-inspired outdoor art exhibition, with installations mostly including natural materials, through Oct. 31.

Yellow Bird Café
1320 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-635-8991; yellowbird-cafe.com

Works by Elizabeth Campbell, through Sept. 11

Zeroday Brewing Co.
250 Reily St., Harrisburg
717-745-6218; zerodaybrewing.com

“Through the Seasons,” award-winning photos from the 2015 PA Parks & Forests Foundation contest, through Sept. 15.

“Mosaics” by Amanda Rife, Sept. 16-Oct. 20.

Read, Make, Learn

The Cornerstone Coffeehouse
2133 Market St., Camp Hill
717-737-5026; thecornerstonecoffeehouse.com

Sept. 7: Italian Villa Dinner & Wine Pairing, 6-9 p.m.
Sept. 15: Late Summer Grilling on the Deck, 6-9 p.m.
Sept. 21: Tour of Europe, 6-9 p.m.

Fredricksen Library
100 N. 19th St., Camp Hill
717-761-3900; fredricksenlibrary.org

Sept. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29: Device Advice, 5:30 p.m.
Sept. 2: Youth Chess Night, 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 3: Cookbook Club, 1 p.m.
Sept. 3: Storytime and Music Therapy, 3:30 p.m.
Sept. 6: Coloring for Grown-Ups, 7 p.m.
Sept. 8, 22: Drop-in Story Time, 7 p.m.
Sept. 9: Curl Up With the Classics—Planning Session, 3 p.m.
Sept. 9, 30: Foreign Film Friday, 2 p.m., 7 p.m.
Sept. 10, 17: Safe Sitter Workshop, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Sept. 11: Teen Crafternoon, 1:30 p.m.
Sept. 12: Twisted Stitchers, 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 15: READ to Dogs, 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 18: DIY Days—Yarn-Wrapped Wreaths, 1:30 p.m.
Sept. 19: Fredricksen Writes, 6:45 p.m.
Sept. 19, 26: Fall Story Times, 9 a.m.
Sept. 20: Fredricksen Reads—Planning Session, 7 p.m.
Sept. 20, 27: Gardening with Nature, 7 p.m.
Sept. 28: Adventure Crafts—Bookmarks, 4:30 p.m.

Harrisburg Improv Theatre
1633 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-798-6973; hbgimprov.com

Sept. 7-Oct. 26: Kidprov (ages 9-12)
Sept. 10-Oct. 29: Kidprov (ages 5-8)

Healthy Living Kitchen
16 S. Rosanna St., Hummelstown
717-512-0077; healthylivingkitchenpa.com

Sept. 8: Leafy Greens for Energy, 6-8 p.m.
Sept. 13: Healthy Fats will Keep You Moving, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Sept. 19: Fermentation Health & How to Make Your Own Kombucha, 6:30-8 p.m.
Sept. 22: Food Therapy—Inflammation and Strong Bones, 6-8 p.m.
Sept. 28: 21-Day Cleanse for Fall

Landis House
Perry County Council of the Arts
67 N. 4th St., Newport
717-567-7023; perrycountyarts.org

Sept 10: A Novel Idea writing workshop, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Sept. 17: A Novel Idea 102

The LBGT Center of Central PA
1306 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-920-9534; centralpalgbtcenter.org

Sept. 3, 10, 17, 24: Weekly Meditation Practice, 11 a.m.
Sept. 4, 11, 18, 25: Common Roads Young Adults, 4 p.m.
Sept. 7, 14, 21, 28: Common Roads Youth, 6 p.m.
Sept. 8: Aging with Pride Lunchtime Discussion, 12 p.m.
Sept. 13: Seniors Group, 6 p.m.
Sept. 20: Women’s Group, 6 p.m.

Midtown Scholar Bookstore-Café
1302 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-236-1680; midtownscholar.com

Sept. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29: Almost Uptown Poetry Cartel, 7 p.m.
Sept. 2, 9, 23, 30: Nathaniel Gadsden’s Spoken Word Café, 7 p.m.
Sept. 3: Health and Wellness Meet-up, 10 a.m.
Sept. 4: Good News Café, 6 p.m.
Sept. 6, 20: Meet-up, 9 a.m.
Sept. 6: Sci-Fi Writer’s Group, 7 p.m.
Sept. 7, 14, 21, 28: Midtown Chess Club, 11 a.m.
Sept. 7: Marketplace HOA Meeting, 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 8, 15: Camp Curtin Toastmasters
Sept. 10: Go STEAM!, 11 a.m.
Sept. 13: Friends of Midtown Beautification Committee, 6:15 p.m.
Sept. 13: Dauphin County Young Democrats Meeting, 7 p.m.
Sept. 13: Men’s Conversation, 7 p.m.
Sept. 17: Story time with Lisa, 11 a.m.
Sept. 17: Author Talk and Signing: Paul Kahan, 2 p.m.
Sept. 18: Midtown Writers Group, 1 p.m.
Sept. 18: LGBT Book Club, 5 p.m.
Sept. 21: Sci Fi & Fantasy Book Club, 7 p.m.
Sept. 25: Harrisburg Young Professionals Book Club, 2 p.m.
Sept. 26: Feminism Book Club, 7 p.m.
Sept. 27: Friends of Midtown Safety Committee, 6:30 p.m.

The Millworks
340 Verbeke St., Harrisburg
717-695-4888; millworksharrisburg.com

Sept. 7: Magic Loop Socks, 6-8 p.m.
Sept. 10: Letting Go: Paint Night Party, 6:30-9:30 p.m.
Sept. 16: Abstract Painting Class, 6:30-9:30 p.m.
Sept. 24: Macrame Plant Hanger, 12-2 p.m.

The Movement Center
2134 N. 2nd St., Harrisburg
717-238-0357; themovementcenter.net

Sept. 11: Community Yoga—Free Beginner Class, 10 a.m.

The Ware Center
42 N. Prince St., Lancaster
717-871-2308; artsmu.com

Sept. 10: TEDx Lancaster, 9 a.m.

Wildwood Park
100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg
717-221-0292; wildwoodlake.org

Sept. 3: Kids Discover, 10-11:30 a.m.
Sept. 4: Beginner’s Yoga & Walk, 10-11:30 a.m.
Sept. 4: Evening Bird Walk, 6-8 p.m.
Sept. 9: Girl Scout Workshop: Cadettes “Night Owl,” 4:30-9 p.m.
Sept. 10: Volunteer Work Day, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Sept. 14: Stress Relief Walk, 6-7:30 p.m.
Sept. 17: September Bird Walk, 9-11 a.m.
Sept. 17: Scout Workshop: Webelos “Into the Woods” Badge, 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Sept. 18: Flower Walk, 1:30-3 p.m.

Live Music Around Harrisburg

American Music Theatre
2425 Lincoln Highway East, Lancaster
717-397-7700; amtshows.com

Sept. 8: The 50s Dance Party
Sept. 9: Kashmir, Led Zeppelin Tribute
Sept. 11: The Wess Cooke Show
Sept. 17: Fall Doo Wop Cavalcade
Sept. 19: Vince Gill
Sept. 24: Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons
Through Oct. 8: Crooners

Appalachian Brewing Co./Abbey Bar
50 N. Cameron St., Harrisburg
717-221-1083; abcbrew.com

Sept. 2: Marco Benevento
Sept. 11: March Fourth Marching Band
Sept. 15: Spiritual Rez

Carley’s Ristorante and Piano Bar
204 Locust St., Harrisburg
717-909-9191; carleysristorante.com

Sept. 1, 17, 27: Corinna Joy
Sept. 2, 10: Ted Ansel
Sept. 3, 15, 21, 30: Chris Emkey
Sept. 6: Daniel Sheehan
Sept. 7: Deborah Anderson
Sept. 8, 11, 22, 25: Anthony Haubert
Sept. 9: Roy Lefever
Sept. 13: Christine Purcell
Sept. 14: Maria Battista
Sept. 16, 20, 24: Noel Gevers
Sept. 23: Jessica Perla

Carlisle Theatre
44 West High St., Carlisle
717-258-0666; carlisletheatre.org

Sept. 22: Outlaws w/The Steppin Stones

Chameleon Club
223 N. Water St., Lancaster
717-299-9684; chameleonclub.net

Sept. 2: From Indian Lakes, Dawns
Sept. 9: POP EVIL
Sept. 10: Diet Cig
Sept. 17: Box of Rain, Grateful Dead Tribute
Sept. 21: The Temperance Movement
Sept. 23: The Undead
Sept. 24: For Today
Sept. 25: Taking Back Sunday
Sept. 28: Assemblage 23
Sept. 30: Texas Hippie Coalition, Shaman’s Harvest

The Cornerstone Coffeehouse
2133 Market St., Camp Hill
717-737-5026; thecornerstonecoffeehouse.com

Sept. 2: Dan Zukowski
Sept. 3: Bob Ardern
Sept. 4: Hollan & Ghost Town Cinema
Sept. 9: Antonio Andrade
Sept. 10: Steven Gellman
Sept. 11: Shelba Purtle
Sept. 16: Kevin Kline
Sept. 17: Jeanine & Friends
Sept. 18: Crimson
Sept. 23: Jim Haas
Sept. 24: Doug Morris
Sept. 25: Dominick Cicco
Sept. 30: Kirk Wise

Gretna Music
Leffler Chapel and Performance Center, Elizabethtown College
717-361-1508; gretnamusic.org

Sept. 4: Trio Settecento
Sept. 11: Enrique Granados

Harrisburg Midtown Arts Center (H*MAC)
1110 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-441-7506; harrisburgarts.com

Sept. 2: Vetour First Friday
Sept. 3: Limbo Jimbo, Mowatt’s Steely Jam
Sept. 8: Seepeoples
Sept. 9: One Trick Grizzly
Sept. 10: Shana Falana, Des Sera, Concrete Beach & ExMag, Adam Stehr, That Girl
Sept. 23: Shea Quinn’s The Band Who Sold the World
Sept. 24: New World Trio & Jason Barshinger Band
Sept. 29: Iska Dhaaf

Hershey Theatre
15 E. Caracas Ave., Hershey
717-534-3405; hersheyentertainment.com

Sept. 13: “Weird Al” Yankovic
Sept. 17: Salute to John Williams w/ Hershey Symphony

Hollywood Casino
777 Hollywood Blvd., Grantville
717-469-2211; hollywoodpnrc.com

Sept. 2: Uptown Band
Sept. 3: DJ Dave Styles, Save the City
Sept. 4: Mountain Road
Sept. 9: JJ Rupp Band
Sept. 10: DJ Matrix, Another Lousy Cover Band
Sept. 16: The Luv Gods
Sept. 17: DJ Ray Rossi, Ryan Pelton, Restless
Sept. 23: Lima Bean Riot
Sept. 24: DJ Forest, Smooth Like Clyde

Keystone Concert Band
145 E. Main St., First Floor, Mechanicsburg
717-421-1512; keystoneconcertband.com

Sept. 18: Concert at Adams-Ricci Park

Little Amps Coffee Roasters, Downtown
133 State St., Harrisburg
717-635-9870; littleampscoffee.com

Sept. 2: TBA
Sept. 9: Downtown Boys
Sept. 23: Blind Scout
Sept. 30: Neveret

The MakeSpace
1916 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
hbgmakespace.com

Sept. 10: Sam Goodwill & Bell Lungs

Midtown Scholar Bookstore-Café
1302 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-236-1680; midtownscholar.com

Sept. 2: Vinnie Paolizzi
Sept. 16: Chroma
Sept. 24: Chris Emkey w/Anthony Quirk
Sept. 25: Cloudship

The Mill in Hershey
810 Old West Chocolate Ave., Hershey
717-256-9965; themillinhershey.com

Sept. 3: Shea & Len (Luv Gods)
Sept. 10: This Side Out
Sept. 17: Josh Krevsky
Sept. 24: Mark DeRose and the Dreadnought Brigade

MoMo’s BBQ & Grille
307 Market St., Harrisburg
717-230-1030; momosbbqandgrill.com

Sept. 2: Miles Leonard Band
Sept. 9: The BC Combo
Sept. 16: Something Else
Sept. 23: Austin Rife
Sept. 30: Visitors Duo

Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art
176 Water Company Rd., Millersburg
717-692-3699; nedsmithcenter.org

Sept. 17: Shotgunn

River City Blues Club & Dart Room
819 S. Cameron St., Harrisburg
rivercityhbg.com

Sept. 1: Mark Santanna and the Snake Oil Salesman
Sept. 2: Ben Brandt Trio
Sept. 3: Crippled But Free w/Sons of Pitches
Sept. 8: Blue Elephant & Friends
Sept. 9: Nate Myers & The Aces, The Back Rhodes
Sept. 15: Shawan and The Wonton Open Mic/Jam
Sept. 16: Southern Avenue
Sept. 17: La Playa
Sept. 19: River City Big Band
Sept. 24: Shawan and the Wonton, The Ven Vo Band, The Outhouse
Sept. 26: Friends of Jazz Jam
Sept. 30: Middleton Brothers Band

St. Thomas Roasters
5951 Linglestown Rd., Harrisburg
717-526-4171; stthomasroasters.com

Sept. 1: Bryan Horton
Sept. 2: Crossroads Duo
Sept. 3: Just Dave
Sept. 8: Collective Academy
Sept. 9: Dan Zukoeski
Sept. 10: Craig Bonner
Sept. 15: Relics of Medievalism
Sept. 16: Channalia
Sept. 17: Itsy & Jim
Sept. 22: Craig Lambeth
Sept. 23: Cotolo
Sept. 24: Suzi Brown
Sept. 29: Rhodes & Purr
Sept. 30: Tim Zimmerman

Stock’s on 2nd
211 N. 2nd St., Harrisburg
717-233-6699; stocksonsecond.com

Sept. 2: US 2 Duo
Sept. 3: Houston Baker
Sept. 9: Josh Krevsky
Sept. 10: Up Pops the Devil
Sept. 16: Truth Seekers
Sept. 17: Shea Quinn and Friends
Sept. 23: Visitors Duo
Sept. 24: Song Smith
Sept. 30: TBA

Strand Capitol Performing Arts Center
50 N. George St., York
717-846-1111; mystrandcapitol.org

Sept. 24: The Music of John Williams w/York Symphony Orchestra
Sept. 30: Chris Botti

Suba Tapas Bar
272 North St., Harrisburg
717-233-7358; mangiaqui.com

Live music Friday and Saturday nights.

The Susquehanna Folk Music Society
717-745-6577; sfmsfolk.org

Sept. 6: Jaerv
Sept. 9: Bulgarika
Sept. 18: Fort Hunter Day
Sept. 24: Iliana Bozhanova & Todor Yankov
Sept. 25: Volunteer Picnic Open Mic
Sept. 29: Robin & Linda Williams

The Ware Center
42 N. Prince St., Lancaster
717-871-2308; artsmu.com

Sept. 18: “Trebled Voices” faculty concert
Sept. 20: David Cullen
Sept. 29: Robin & Linda Williams

Whitaker Center
222 Market St., Harrisburg
717-214-ARTS; whitakercenter.org

Sept. 3: Mark DeRose & the Dreadnought Brigade, Vulcans

Zeroday Brewing Co.
250 Reily St., Harrisburg
717-745-6218; zerodaybrewing.com

Sept. 3: Lost in Society

The Stage Door

American Music Theatre
2425 Lincoln Highway East, Lancaster
717-397-7700; amtshows.com

Sept. 18: Yakov Smirnoff

Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre
510 Centerville Rd., Lancaster
717-898-1900; DutchApple.com

Through Sept. 24: Yeston and Kopit’s “Phantom”
Sept. 29-Nov. 12: “Anything Goes”

Gamut Theatre
15 N. 4th St., Harrisburg
717-238-4111; gamuttheatre.org

Sept. 16: TMI Improv
Sept. 17, 24: Rapunzel (Popcorn Hat Players)
Sept. 23-24: “Shakespeare in Hollywood”

Gretna Music
Leffler Chapel and Performance Center, Elizabethtown College
717-361-1508; gretnamusic.org

Sept. 3: BalletX

Harrisburg Improv Theatre
1633 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-798-6973; hbgimprov.com

Sept. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30: Harold Hour
Sept. 3: Forte Largo
Sept. 3, 10, 17, 24: Free Improv Mixer
Sept. 16, 18: Class 1 Show

Hershey Theatre
15 E. Caracas Ave., Hershey
717-534-3405; hersheyentertainment.com

Sept. 25: Kevin James

Midtown Scholar Bookstore-Café
1302 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-236-1680; midtownscholar.com

Sept. 16: Comedy Night

Oyster Mill Playhouse
1001 Oyster Mill Rd., Camp Hill
717-737-6768; oystermill.com

Sept. 23-Oct. 9: “An Act of the Imagination”

Rose Lehrman Art Center
One HACC Dr., Harrisburg
717-231-ROSE; hacc.edu

Sept. 21: Soul Street Dance

Strand Capitol Performing Arts Center
50 N. George St., York
717-846-1111; mystrandcapitol.org

Sept. 27: “Swan Lake” w/Russian Grand Ballet

Theatre Harrisburg
513 Hurlock St., Harrisburg
717-232-5501; theatreharrisburg.com

Sept. 6-10: Harrisburg New Works Theater Festival
Sept. 22-Oct. 9: “Far from Heaven” (at Whitaker Center)

The Ware Center
42 N. Prince St., Lancaster
717-871-2308; artsmu.com

Sept. 18: Dance333
Sept. 25: Capitol Steps
Sept. 30: “Tres Vidas”

Whitaker Center
222 Market St., Harrisburg
717-214-ARTS; whitakercenter.org

Sept. 22-Oct. 9: “Far From Heaven” (Theatre Harrisburg)
Sept. 28: “Wiggle Town Tour”

York Little Theatre
27 S. Belmont St., York
717-854-3894; thebelmont.org

Sept. 23-Oct. 2: “School of Rock”

Peace, Healing

August 31, 2016 | by Lawrance Binda and Dani Fresh

Last month, Harrisburg was shaken by the police-involved shooting of city resident Earl Shaleek Pinckney.

In the wake of the tragedy, Goodwin Memorial Baptist Church hosted a community meeting where many residents and city officials spoke, including Police Chief Thomas Carter. Pinckney’s mother, Kim Thomas, also gave a lengthy, heartfelt speech for peace, justice, patience and healing. Then, in a particularly touching moment, Carter and Thomas embraced. We thought we would share a selection of images from that night taken by our photographer, Dani Fresh.

Author: Lawrance Binda and Dani Fresh

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Burg in Focus – Harris Tower

August 31, 2016 | by TheBurg Editor

Harris Tower tells a fascinating story of Harrisburg railroad history and is our Burg in Focus video for September. Check out the accompanying story.

Learning Tower: Experience Harrisburg train history at the Harris Tower Railroad Museum.

August 30, 2016 | by Bob Bunty

There’s a small, brick building you may have never noticed, though it’s located in plain sight.

It’s little more than a stone’s throw from the East Wing of the Pennsylvania State Capitol, nestled between Forum Place and the State Street Bridge. And it’s played a big role in the history of Harrisburg.

Built in 1929, the Harris Tower long served as a critical link in a network of railroad towers that once controlled burgeoning passenger and freight train traffic, especially for the bustling Harrisburg Railroad Station (now the Harrisburg Transportation Center).

It’s been out of service since 1991, a victim to technology and automation. But, now, thanks to the intrepid efforts of the Harrisburg Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society, the tower—renamed the Harris Tower Railroad Museum—has new life and new importance.

Last month, society members and train buffs gathered to unveil a special plaque designating the tower as a site on the National Register of Historic Places, a list of locations and buildings deemed historically significant by the U.S. government.

“We hope this leads to a greater appreciation for the city of Harrisburg’s rich railroad heritage,” said John W. Smith Jr., president of the Harrisburg Chapter of NRHS.

Back in Time

Upon entering the tower and ascending to the open second floor, one has the feeling of being transported back in time. You’re immediately drawn to a bank of restored, chestnut wood-trimmed windows that allow you to peer out upon the sprawling Amtrak and Norfolk Southern railroad yard.

At its operational zenith in the 1930s and ‘40s, Harris Tower was staffed daily by 18 full-time operators, six men for each eight-hour shift. They masterfully choreographed the movement of more than 100 passenger and 25 freight trains among 14 sets of tracks through the bustling train yard and into the nearby Harrisburg station.

Since acquiring the tower, society members have been working quietly to restore it to its 1940s vintage appearance. Work has included refurbishing windows and walls, painting radiators, refinishing floors and baseboards, installing new pipe insulation and toilets.

The centerpiece of the museum is the tower’s “interlocking machine.” The electro-pneumatic interlocking failsafe machine system console helped operators whose job it was to safely orchestrate the movements of massive locomotives and their passenger and freight cars.

Built by Union Switch and Signal Company for the Pennsylvania Railroad in the 1920s, the original system was a technological marvel of its day, designed to control switches and signals in the area to prevent conflicting routes—and collisions—from occurring. It is covered with an intricate array of switches, indicator lamps and more than 100 levers to assist operators in carrying out their critical tasks of safely moving passengers and freight.

“You become train director and sit in the control nerve center to get a hands-on feel for how it feels to actually operate the interlocking machine and other equipment and learn firsthand what running a railroad was like at a time before the advent of modern operation,” Smith said.

To elevate the experience, the interlocking control machine, the model track board, communications panels and other devices have been painstakingly restored and reconfigured to operate via computer, which simulates train movements over the Harris Tower operational terrain based upon actual train schedules from the 1940s.

The tower is among the society’s crown jewels. Others include the PA Railroad GG-1 Electric Locomotive No. 4859. Also listed on the National Register of Historic Places and designated as the state electric locomotive by the Pennsylvania General Assembly, the GG-1 pulled the first electric passenger train into Harrisburg in January 1938. It is joined by the former PA Railroad N6b Cabin Car No. 980016. Restored, owned and maintained by NRHS, they both are housed in a train shed at the nearby transportation center.

Complete Story

Currently, the tower’s first floor is not open to the public, but that should soon change.

Smith recently returned from a 1,700-mile trip to the Arkansas home of Kathleen Farrell to retrieve a treasure trove of Pennsylvania Railroad model gems collected by her late husband, John. They include 65 Pennsylvania Railroad diesels, four Pennsylvania steam engines, five GG1 HO scale (1/87^th scale) engines and several unique Harrisburg industrial/train building models.

These and other items will be included in a diorama planned for the museum’s first floor, which is currently undergoing restoration.

“We’re working to have the first floor open so we can tell more of the complete story on the technology and human interest aspects of Harrisburg railroad history,” said Smith.

The Harris Tower Railway Museum is located at 637 Walnut St., Harrisburg. It is open Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., through the end of October. Admission is free. For more information, see visit www.harristower.org or www.harrisburgnrhs.org.

Watch our Burg in Focus video that accompanies this story.

Author: Bob Bunty

A Warm Welcome: 100 Men Greeting extend a hand to Harrisburg students.

August 25, 2016 | by Susan Ryder

A Harrisburg student leaps high as she is greeted at Ben Franklin Elementary during 100 Men Greeting.

The weather cooperated on this day, the cool temperatures and sunny sky adding to the bright faces and cheery “good mornings” exchanged between students and greeters.

The young learners donned new sneakers, pressed clothes and freshly beaded hair. Some jumped up to meet the hand that greeted them; others tentatively held it out for a tap.

The 10 men standing outside Ben Franklin Elementary on Monday were part of 100 Men Greeting, welcoming students to the first day of school in the Harrisburg School District.

Jamar Johnson, a graduate of Harrisburg High School, helped coordinate the event. He said he feels that young people only hear about negative and violent things that happen in the city and wanted to offer them an opportunity to see smiling, friendly people as they begin the new year.

“If you bring all these men together, they can be a positive movement,” he said.

The concept is simple. Local men greet students and teachers with high fives and words of encouragement. Johnson said all men, from every walk of life, are invited to participate.

On Monday, men greeted students outside all 11 schools in the district, with the goal of having 10 men at each school. Outside Ben Franklin, a financial adviser, a Vietnam veteran, two state employees, an attorney, a housekeeping manager and a web developer participated.

Many of the men have worked with Floyd Stokes, the program’s executive director, on other projects, including the American Literacy Council’s 500 Men Reading Week.

This is the second year for the event, and Johnson said that district Superintendent Sybil Knight-Burney reached out and asked that they return this year.

While it served as an example of men doing positive things, greeters also started their day at Ben Franklin for another reason.

Calvin Hynson, past PTA president and open gym organizer for Ben Franklin, said he participated because he wants to “show support for the kids and teachers.” As he greeted the students, he admonished them to “get some education and respect your teachers.”

Logan Street resident Charles Ray spoke up from his electric scooter.

“It teaches the kids that we, as a whole, care for them,” he said, adding that his time in Vietnam impressed upon him the need to show kindness at every opportunity.

Students and teachers alike appreciated the morning.

“From a cultural perspective, it’s beyond wonderful to see my brothers greeting the kids,” said 24-year teaching veteran and second-grade teacher Kalem Calien.

Louise Roman thanked the men as she stepped off the sidewalk after bringing her children to school.

“As a single mother raising six kids, to have a male influence that’s not the father is a blessing,” she said,

Ben Franklin Principal Will Towson added the greeting is valuable because “students get to see positive role models on the first day of school.”

The line of students trickled down, and the men began heading off to work, welcoming the stragglers as they went.

“It’s wonderful for fathers and men to take a stand and make a positive impact for children and literacy in the community,” said Nick Linn, who greeted the children, his own two young sons by his side.

Author: Susan Ryder

From Burbs to Burg: For decades, companies headed in one direction–from Harrisburg to the suburbs. Welcome back!

July 29, 2016 | by M. Diane McCormick

World Trade Center Harrisburg (Capitol View Commerce Center), Cameron and Herr streets.

Once upon a time, in the late 1980s, a group called the Hospital Association of Pennsylvania built its suburban ideal in Swatara Township. Plenty of surface parking. Fun stores and restaurants nearby. Accessible to highways and airport. Even for a statewide association, the struggling capital city wasn’t seen as a good home.

Fast-forward 27 years. Government has gained prominence in a complex health care system. Seeking proximity to lawmakers, what is now the Hospital & Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania is moving back into Harrisburg proper, where—surprise—there’s convenient parking and fun stores and restaurants nearby.

“To be six miles away from the center of decision-making for Pennsylvania struck me as a lost opportunity to be both visible and accessible to policymakers who are asking hundreds of questions about health care,” said HAP President and CEO Andy Carter, who helped lead the board in making the move. “I want to be there when they ask those questions so we can give our answer as part of their due diligence.”

Nationwide, businesses have been pulling up stakes from suburban campuses or outlying spots and resettling into cities. Likewise, businesses here increasingly are making high-profile moves from the ‘burbs to the ‘Burg. Of course, finances drive the decisions, but so do proximity to power, attracting talent to remain competitive, and commitments to rebuilding the urban hub that powers the region.

“We think we’re stepping into a very rich, diverse field that will accrue many benefits,” said Carter.

Love the Location

This month, HAP moves into a building on 3^rd Street, in the shadow of the Capitol dome. Meanwhile, later in August, health care data analyst Geneia will leave its cramped Swatara Township digs to take occupancy in the resurrected Capitol View Commerce Center on Cameron Street. In fact, that building has been renamed “World Trade Center Harrisburg” in honor of its eponymous anchor tenant, which is moving in this fall from York.

And that’s not all. Last year, analytics firm VisiQuate left Rossmoyne to take up one floor of a rehabbed 19^th-century mansion. And Chemical Solutions, Ltd., left its overcrowded Mechanicsburg quarters for a former plasma donation center at Herr and 7^th streets.

VisiQuate grabbed the opportunity to lease space in the circa-1804 mansion at 111 N. Front Street “because we just loved the location,” said President JK Kolmansberger. With three offices in the United States and two in Eastern Europe, VisiQuate was accustomed to the amenities and convenience of working and hosting clients in urban settings. From Rossmoyne, “it was always a bit of a hassle to get our employees and clients close to where hotels are,” said Kolmansberger.

VisiQuate spotted the national and worldwide trend to reoccupy cities, but Kolmansberger said he hesitated to move into Harrisburg before recovery took hold. Now, “people are starting to come back downtown and are starting to see the city in a better place.”

Geneia left business park space where employees were working “two and three to an office,” or assigned to working from home solely for lack of room, said CEO Mark Caron.

“Many of them are very anxious for the new building,” he said. “It’s cool to have the flexibility to work at home, but it’s also really important to have a connection with teams.”

As needs of the workforce evolve, operating in the city offers businesses “access to an even more diverse potential workforce,” said Carter. People leaving state government for the private or nonprofit sectors “don’t have to change location,” and convenient access from the entire midstate will attract talent from all parts of the region, he said.

Once, Carter led a nonprofit located next to the statehouse in Columbus, Ohio. There, he often struck up “serendipitous conversations” just by “stumbling into the speaker of the House or secretary of human services,” he said. But from the suburbs, HAP often had to ration the trips allowed into Harrisburg.

Moving the organization to 3^rd and Walnut streets, catty-corner to the Capitol complex, allows his organization to “take advantage of the stone’s-throw location,” attending more hearings, “more readily scheduling pick-up meetings” with state officials, and enticing busy lawmakers to events.

The location also could make it convenient for visiting HAP members to “tack on some visits” with state officials and lawmakers.

“We want to strengthen the relationship between our members and the policymakers who are helping us to shape the delivery system of the future,” Carter said.

Fun Town

Like Geneia, Chemical Solutions, Ltd., left cramped space.

“We were literally moving people out of their offices to move new instruments in,” said President Brian LaBine, who moved his company into customized space straddling downtown and Midtown Harrisburg.

Many of Chemical Solutions’ employees are chemists who appreciate Harrisburg’s balance of urban environment with livability, he said. One “wonderful chemist” moved from Delaware, where “the cost-of-living differential” was substantial.

“We think Harrisburg is going in the right direction,” LaBine said. “It’s a fun town. We like the Midtown area. Being able to walk out the door and walk to the Broad Street Market or Jackson House is perhaps a nice combination of having that city feel that some of the younger generation really likes, yet not having the traffic or the prices that come with relocating to, say, Philadelphia or a larger city.”

Geneia competes for skilled talent in the “pretty tight” analytics field, said Caron. Its new space offers the “creature features” that tech-oriented people expect, including a healthy café, treadmill desks, a fitness center, “open space for people to ideate,” and high-tech videoconferencing.

“As a techy and nerd, you want the latest software tools to build the latest products,” he said. “You want an organization that’s invested in its people.”

At any technology company, “you’ll find we don’t work 9 to 5,” said Kolmansberger.

Potential hires want to work wherever they can get the job done, whether from home or on a bench by the river, and the new space is “a very functional, high-tech office that our employees find very comfortable and useful. If you need to have a client in for a meeting, it shows very well. Clients like to come here because it’s a bright, cheery office that overlooks the river.”

Downtown sites also create proximity to learning opportunities that help employees grow and that cultivate future talent, especially through internships with Harrisburg University of Science and Technology students. In Swatara Township, HAP was isolated from downtown’s “rich mix of professionals” at universities and advocacy organizations, Carter said.

“Especially, since we think of ourselves as the leading edge of the trend, we hope that more of others in this world will consider moving downtown, as well, and then we’re going to have an even richer environment,” he said.

Part of the Solution

Though the business factors driving their decisions vary, the resettlers agree that helping rebuild a once-shattered city was on their minds. Access to “the best possible workforce” only comes from providing a competitive working and living environment, with quality housing, schools, health care and amenities, “and you aren’t going to get all that if you don’t have enough people who are being hired and brought into the city,” said Carter. Metropolitan areas “struggle to thrive if the city center is withering.”

“In many ways, by moving downtown, along with many other businesses, we’re showing our cards that we believe in the health of the city, and, in promoting its health by working down there and bringing its employees and their pocketbooks into the city, that we’re going to be creating a stronger future for the city,” he said

Chemical Solutions is showing its passion for education with plans to host local students in science and chemistry activities. Employees have helped a Friends of Midtown neighborhood cleanup. The business itself, under the leadership of Technical Director Francine Walker, takes pride in “taking a formerly dormant building, vacant for six years, and transforming it,” said LaBine

“We’re definitely attracted to the concept of urban renewal,” he said. “We’ve loved the decision since the day we made it.”

Geneia has “a real conscience in investing in the community,” said Caron, and the firm has found strong partners in the effort. World Trade Center Harrisburg developer John Moran “has been incredibly accommodating,” and the tax incentives for settling in a Keystone Opportunity Zone are “an attraction to a small start-up where you can save on taxes and put those dollars to other uses investing in people.”

In Kolmansberger’s travels, he finds that “the best areas always have strong downtown life and strong city life and good hotels and good restaurants.” He wanted the same for his clients and employees. Harrisburg, he said, “is definitely a city that is on the rebound.”

“I can sit out in the suburbs and complain that Harrisburg isn’t recovering fast enough or Harrisburg doesn’t have enough good restaurants,” he said. “Or I can try to be part of the solution, and that’s by bringing business to the city and embracing our capital city and embracing the business environment in downtown Harrisburg. That’s ultimately what I decided to do, and I found a good location in the middle of everything.”

Author: M. Diane McCormick

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